341.4.2341.5.1 ASME B31.

3-2004

Table 341.3.2 Acceptance Criteria for Welds and Examination Methods for Evaluating Weld
Imperfections (Contd)
NOTES:
(1) Criteria given are for required examination. More stringent criteria may be specified in the engineering design. See also
paras. 341.5 and 341.5.3.
(2) Longitudinal groove weld includes straight and spiral seam. Criteria are not intended to apply to welds made in
accordance with a standard listed in Table A-1 or Table 326.1. Alternative Leak Test requires examination of these
welds; see para. 345.9.
(3) Fillet weld includes socket and seal welds, and attachment welds for slip-on flanges, branch reinforcement, and
supports.
(4) Branch connection weld includes pressure containing welds in branches and fabricated laps.
(5) These imperfections are evaluated only for welds 5 mm ( 316 in.) in nominal thickness.
(6) Where two limiting values are separated by and, the lesser of the values determines acceptance. Where two sets of
values are separated by or, the larger value is acceptable. T w is the nominal wall thickness of the thinner of two
components joined by a butt weld.
(7) Tightly butted unfused root faces are unacceptable.
(8) For groove welds, height is the lesser of the measurements made from the surfaces of the adjacent components; both
reinforcement and internal protrusion are permitted in a weld. For fillet welds, height is measured from the theoretical
throat, Fig. 328.5.2A; internal protrusion does not apply.
(9) For welds in aluminum alloy only, internal protrusion shall not exceed the following values:
(a) for thickness 2 mm ( 564 in.): 1.5 mm ( 116 in.);
(b) for thickness > 2 mm and 6 mm ( 14 in.): 2.5 mm ( 332 in.).
For external reinforcement and for greater thicknesses, see the tabulation for Symbol L.

341.3.2, for Category D fluid service, unless otherwise
specified.
341.4.3 Examination Severe Cyclic Conditions. Pip-
ing to be used under severe cyclic conditions shall be
examined to the extent specified herein or to any greater
extent specified in the engineering design. Acceptance
criteria are as stated in para. 341.3.2 and in Table 341.3.2,
for severe cyclic conditions, unless otherwise specified.
(a) Visual Examination. The requirements of para.
341.4.1(a) apply with the following exceptions.
(1) All fabrication shall be examined.
(2) All threaded, bolted, and other joints shall be
examined.
(3) All piping erection shall be examined to verify
dimensions and alignment. Supports, guides, and points
of cold spring shall be checked to ensure that movement
of the piping under all conditions of startup, operation,
and shutdown will be accommodated without undue
binding or unanticipated constraint.
(b) Other Examination. All circumferential butt and
miter groove welds and all fabricated branch connection
welds comparable to those shown in Fig. 328.5.4E shall
be examined by 100% radiography in accordance with
para. 344.5, or (if specified in the engineering design)
by 100% ultrasonic examination in accordance with para.
344.6. Socket welds and branch connection welds which
are not radiographed shall be examined by magnetic
particle or liquid penetrant methods in accordance with
para. 344.3 or 344.4.
(c) In-process examination in accordance with para.
344.7, supplemented by appropriate nondestructive
examination, may be substituted for the examination
required in (b) above on a weld-for-weld basis if speci-
fied in the engineering design or specifically authorized
by the Inspector.
(d) Certification and Records. The requirements of
para. 341.4.1(c) apply.
341.5 Supplementary Examination
Any of the methods of examination described in para.
344 may be specified by the engineering design to sup-
plement the examination required by para. 341.4. The
extent of supplementary examination to be performed
and any acceptance criteria that differ from those in
para. 341.3.2 shall be specified in the engineering design.
341.5.1 Spot Radiography
(a) Longitudinal Welds. Spot radiography for longitu-
dinal groove welds required to have a weld joint factor
Ej of 0.90 requires examination by radiography in accor-
dance with para. 344.5 of at least 300 mm (1 ft) in each
30 m (100 ft) of weld for each welder or welding operator.
Acceptance criteria are those stated in Table 341.3.2 for
radiography under Normal Fluid Service.
(b) Circumferential Butt Welds and Other Welds. It is
recommended that the extent of examination be not less
than one shot on one in each 20 welds for each welder
or welding operator. Unless otherwise specified, accept-
ance criteria are as stated in Table 341.3.2 for radiogra-
phy under Normal Fluid Service for the type of joint
examined.
(c) Progressive Sampling for Examination. The provi-
sions of para. 341.3.4 are applicable.
(d) Welds to Be Examined. The locations of welds and
the points at which they are to be examined by spot

73
ASME B31.3-2004

Fig. 341.3.2 Typical Weld Imperfections

74
341.5.1344.4
radiography shall be selected or approved by the
Inspector.
341.5.2 Hardness Tests. The extent of hardness test-
ing required shall be in accordance with para. 331.1.7
except as otherwise specified in the engineering design.
341.5.3 Examinations to Resolve Uncertainty. Any
method may be used to resolve doubtful indications.
Acceptance criteria shall be those for the required exami-
nation.
342 EXAMINATION PERSONNEL
342.1 Personnel Qualification and Certification
Examiners shall have training and experience com-
mensurate with the needs of the specified examinations.1
The employer shall certify records of the examiners
employed, showing dates and results of personnel quali-
fications, and shall maintain them and make them avail-
able to the Inspector.
342.2 Specific Requirement
For in-process examination, the examinations shall be
performed by personnel other than those performing
the production work.
343 EXAMINATION PROCEDURES
Any examination shall be performed in accordance
with a written procedure that conforms to one of the
methods specified in para. 344, including special meth-
ods (see para. 344.1.2). Procedures shall be written as
required in the BPV Code, Section V, Article 1, T-150.
The employer shall certify records of the examination
procedures employed, showing dates and results of pro-
cedure qualifications, and shall maintain them and make
them available to the Inspector.
344 TYPES OF EXAMINATION
344.1 General
344.1.1 Methods. Except as provided in para. 344.1.2,
any examination required by this Code, by the engi-
neering design, or by the Inspector shall be performed
in accordance with one of the methods specified herein.
344.1.2 Special Methods. If a method not specified
herein is to be used, it and its acceptance criteria shall
be specified in the engineering design in enough detail
to permit qualification of the necessary procedures and
examiners.
1
For this purpose, SNT-TC-1A, Recommended Practice for Non-
destructive Testing Personnel Qualification and Certification, may
be used as a guide.
75
ASME B31.3-2004
344.1.3 Definitions. The following terms apply to any
type of examination:
100% examination: complete examination of all of a speci-
fied kind of item in a designated lot of piping2
random examination:3 complete examination of a per-
centage of a specified kind of item in a designated lot
of piping2
spot examination:3 a specified partial examination of
each of a specified kind of item in a designated lot of
piping,2 e.g., of part of the length of all shop-fabricated
--``,,`,,`,``,,``,`,`,,,``,,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
welds in a lot of jacketed piping
random spot examination:3 a specified partial examina-
tion of a percentage of a specified kind of item in a
designated lot of piping2
344.2 Visual Examination
344.2.1 Definition. Visual examination is observation
of the portion of components, joints, and other piping
elements that are or can be exposed to view before,
during, or after manufacture, fabrication, assembly, erec-
tion, examination, or testing. This examination includes
verification of Code and engineering design require-
ments for materials, components, dimensions, joint
preparation, alignment, welding, bonding, brazing, bolt-
ing, threading, or other joining method, supports,
assembly, and erection.
344.2.2 Method. Visual examination shall be per-
formed in accordance with the BPV Code, Section V,
Article 9. Records of individual visual examinations are
not required, except for those of in-process examination
as specified in para. 344.7.
344.3 Magnetic Particle Examination
Examination of castings is covered in para. 302.3.3.
Magnetic particle examination of welds and of compo-
nents other than castings shall be performed in accor-
dance with BPV Code, Section V, Article 7.
344.4 Liquid Penetrant Examination
Examination of castings is covered in para. 302.3.3.
Liquid penetrant examination of welds and of compo-
nents other than castings shall be performed in accor-
dance with BPV Code, Section V, Article 6.
2
A designated lot is that quantity of piping to be considered
in applying the requirements for examination in this Code. The
quantity or extent of a designated lot should be established by
agreement between the contracting parties before the start of work.
More than one kind of designated lot may be established for differ-
ent kinds of piping work.
3
Random or spot examination will not ensure a fabrication prod-
uct of a prescribed quality level throughout. Items not examined
in a lot of piping represented by such examination may contain
defects which further examination could disclose. Specifically, if
all radiographically disclosable weld defects must be eliminated
from a lot of piping, 100% radiographic examination must be spec-
ified.
ASME B31.3-2004
344.5 Radiographic Examination
344.5.1 Method. Radiography of castings is covered
in para. 302.3.3. Radiography of welds and of compo-
nents other than castings shall be performed in accor-
dance with BPV Code, Section V, Article 2.
344.5.2 Extent of Radiography
(a) 100% Radiography. This applies only to girth and
miter groove welds and to fabricated branch connection
welds comparable to Fig. 328.5.4E, unless otherwise
specified in the engineering design.
(b) Random Radiography. This applies only to girth
and miter groove welds.
(c) Spot Radiography. This requires a single exposure
radiograph in accordance with para. 344.5.1 at a point
within a specified extent of welding. For girth, miter,
and branch groove welds the minimum requirement is
(1) for sizes DN 65 (NPS 212), a single elliptical
exposure encompassing the entire weld circumference
(2) for sizes > DN 65, the lesser of 25% of the inside
circumference or 152 mm (6 in.)
For longitudinal welds the minimum requirement is
152 mm (6 in.) of weld length.
344.6 Ultrasonic Examination
344.6.1 Method. Examination of castings is covered
in para. 302.3.3; other product forms are not covered.
Ultrasonic examination of welds shall be performed in
accordance with BPV Code, Section V, Article 5, except
that the alternative specified in (a) and (b) below is
permitted for basic calibration blocks specified in T-
542.2.1 and T-542.8.1.1.
(a) When the basic calibration blocks have not
received heat treatment in accordance with T-542.1.1(c)
and T-542.8.1.1, transfer methods shall be used to corre-
late the responses from the basic calibration block and
the component. Transfer is accomplished by noting the
difference between responses received from the same
reference reflector in the basic calibration block and in
the component and correcting for the difference.
(b) The reference reflector may be a V-notch (which
must subsequently be removed), an angle beam search
unit acting as a reflector, or any other reflector which
will aid in accomplishing the transfer.
(c) When the transfer method is chosen as an alterna-
tive, it shall be used, at the minimum
(1) for sizes DN 50 (NPS 2), once in each 10
welded joints examined
(2) for sizes > DN 50 and DN 450 (NPS 18), once
in each 1.5 m (5 ft) of welding examined
(3) for sizes > DN 450, once for each welded joint
examined
(d) Each type of material and each size and wall thick-
ness shall be considered separately in applying the trans-
fer method. In addition, the transfer method shall be
used at least twice on each type of weld joint.
76
344.5345.1
(e) The reference level for monitoring discontinuities
shall be modified to reflect the transfer correction when
the transfer method is used.
344.6.2 Acceptance Criteria. A linear-type disconti-
nuity is unacceptable if the amplitude of the indication
exceeds the reference level and its length exceeds:
(a) 6 mm (14 in.) for T w 19 mm (34 in.)
(b) T w /3 for 19 mm < T w 57 mm (214 in.)
(c) 19 mm for T w > 57 mm
344.7 In-Process Examination
344.7.1 Definition. In-process examination com-
prises examination of the following, as applicable:
(a) joint preparation and cleanliness
(b) preheating
(c) fit-up, joint clearance, and internal alignment prior
to joining
(d) variables specified by the joining procedure,
including filler material
(1) (for welding) position and electrode
(2) (for brazing) position, flux, brazing tempera-
ture, proper wetting, and capillary action
(e) (for welding) condition of the root pass after clean-
ing external and, where accessible, internal aided
by liquid penetrant or magnetic particle examination
when specified in the engineering design
(f) (for welding) slag removal and weld condition
between passes
(g) appearance of the finished joint
344.7.2 Method. The examination is visual, in accor-
dance with para. 344.2, unless additional methods are
specified in the engineering design.
345 TESTING
345.1 Required Leak Test
Prior to initial operation, and after completion of the
applicable examinations required by para. 341, each pip-
ing system shall be tested to ensure tightness. The test
shall be a hydrostatic leak test in accordance with para.
345.4 except as provided herein.
(a) At the owners option, a piping system in Cate-
gory D fluid service may be subjected to an initial service
leak test in accordance with para. 345.7, in lieu of the
hydrostatic leak test.
(b) Where the owner considers a hydrostatic leak test
impracticable, either a pneumatic test in accordance
with para. 345.5 or a combined hydrostatic-pneumatic
test in accordance with para. 345.6 may be substituted,
recognizing the hazard of energy stored in com-
pressed gas.
(c) Where the owner considers both hydrostatic and
pneumatic leak testing impracticable, the alternative
specified in para. 345.9 may be used if both of the follow-
ing conditions apply: